Multiple-wire plug.



H. HBRTZBBRG & M. 1T. WOHL. MULTIPLE WIRE PLUG.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 2a, 19o?.

Patented June 20, 1911.

3 SEBETS*BHEET 1.

Wl TNE SSE S NVEIVTUHS By 'g H. HERTZBBRG & M. J. WoHL.

MULTIPLE WIRE PLUG.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG.2`3.1907.

995,674. Patented June 20, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

Wl Tl/E SSE S C 7 IN VEN T008 Pf. CTW J ffm-w HSI-Me@ Afro/Mfrs H.HERTZB'ERGz M. J. WOHL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 [NVE/'70H8 TTHIVEYS Patented June 2o, 1911.

WITNESSES PZC. #E YS UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEErcE.

' HARRY HERTZBERG AND MAURICE J. WOHL, OF NEW YORK, N..A Y., ASSIGNORST0 ECONOMY ELECTRIC COMPANY, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 0F NEWYORK.

MULTIPLE-WIRE PLUG.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented June 20, 1911.

Application filed August 23, 1907. Serial No. 389,771.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, HARRY HERTZBERG and MAURICE J. WOHL, citizens ofthe United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklynand borough of Manhattan, respectively, counties of Kings and New York,and State of New York, have invented a certain new and usefulMultiple-Wire Plug, of which the following-is a specification.

This invention is an electrical connection whereby a plurality of wiresmay be readily attached to the proper terminals in each of the members,and said members of the connection are adapted to be separated andassembled both easily and quickly without the possibility of producing ashort circuit or of pulling out the aforesaid wires.

l/Ve `seek to produce a connection which /,can be manufacturedeconomically and wired expeditiously.

Accordingto the invention, it contemplates a pair of coperating members,each composed of insulating complemental sections and metallic terminalsclamped in said sect-ions. The sections of each member are held togetherand clamped upon the metallic terminals by screws, or equivalent means,and each terminal consists of or is provided 30. with a split metallicsleeve in which the wire is secured firmly by a suitable clamp.

The terminals of the members are constructed ma'le and female,respectively, in order that the members may be assembled or separated bya simple operation. In some cases, the female terminals may be providedon one member, and the male terminals on the other member, in order thatthe members may be readily interchanged,

40 for reversing the polarity; but each member may have amale terminaland a female terminal when the connection is used on a circuit of fixedor non-changeable polarity.

One important feature of the connection is the provision for anchoring amultiple wire cord in each member thereof so that the wires cannot bepulled out of the mem ber accidentally. We prefer to make a cav ity orchamber in the rear end portion of each member, back of the terminalstherein,

and in this chamber is adapted to be received a knot or other projectionof the aforesaid cord, whereby a pull or strain on the cord is broughtby the knot into engagement mechanically with the solid part of themember so as to relieve the electrical connection between the wires andthe terminals from undue strain.-

In the accompanying drawings, we have illustrated one practicalembodiment of the invention, but the construction shown therein is to beunderstood as illustrative only,

and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing -a femalemember of the connection. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the malemember of the connection adapted to coperate with the female meniber ofFig. 1 when it is desired to reverse the polarity of the terminals.Figs. 3 and 4 are side views, partly in section, of cooperating membershaving terminals which are adapted for use on circuits ofnon-interchangeable polarity. Fi 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 ofig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the insulating pieces adaptedto form a section of a member. Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged detail viewsof a split metallic tube forming a female terminal. views of a splitmetallic male terminal. Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14 are side views Showingour invention embodied in a three wire connection. Fig. 15 is a crosssection on the line 15-15 of Fig. 11. Fig. 16 is a detail view of ametallic shell. Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section on the line 17l7 ofFig.

Figs. 9 and 10 are side and endA 15. Fig. 18 is a detail view of onepiece of porcelain used in the construction of the device shown in Figs.11 to 17 inclusive. Figs. 19, 20, and 21 are perspective views of otherembodiments of the invention wherein provision is made for tappin offthe current ata number of points. 'igs. 22, and 23 are perspective viewsof other forms of current taps constructed in accordance with theinvention.

A, B, designate the coperating members employed in our connection. Inthe construction of Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, each member, A, B, iscomposed of two sections, c, al, each section consisting of insulatingmaterial, such as porcelain, molded in one piece to the required shape.The sections, e, d, are semi-circular in cross section so as to provideHat inner faces adapted to be assembled into matching relation. Saidsections, o, d, are provided on their flat inner faces withcorresponding recesses, e, f,

which are adapted to register and thereby produce sockets in which areclamped the terminals presently described. In the twopart member shownin Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the matching sections, c, d, are adapted tobe secured into clamping engagement with the terminals by a bolt orscrew, g, the head of said bolt being countersunk in a recess, g', ofthe section, d. The threaded end of the bolt engages with a nut, h,which is countersunk in a recess, It', of the section, c.

One end of each member is fiat, whereas the other end is curved as atc', and in this curved portion of the member is a cavity or chamber, z",which is adapted to receive a knot, c', of a contacting cord or cable,C. 0

The member, A, is provided with metallic terminals D, E, which arefitted in the recesses, e, f, and are clamped by the sections, c, cl,when they are drawn together by the bolt, g, and the nut, h. The socketterm1 nals, D, E, each "consists of a metalllc tube which is split for apart of its length as at d in Figs. 7 and 8, and the solid inner part ofthis socket terminal is provided with a threaded or tapped opening inwhich is threaded a clamping screw, d2, whereby the wires, c2, c3, ofthe cord, C, are adapted to be fastened securely in the socketterminals, D E.

,The plug terminals, F, G, are clamped in the member, B, of theconnection by the operation of drawing the sections, c, d, together bythe screw, g. Each terminal connection consists of a sleeve, g', and aslotted tenon, g2, the sleeveportion of the terminal having a threadedopening adapted to receive a screw similar to the screw, d2. Theterminals, F, G, have their sleeve portions clamped by and between thesections composing the member, B, whereas tenons, g2 of said terminalsextend or project from the fiat end of said member, B. A two-wire cord,H, is provided with a knot, h2, and wires, ha, it, of said cord arefitted in the sleeve portions, g', of said terminals, F, G, whereby saidwires are adapted to be clamped in place by screws, h5.

It will be readily understood that the members, A, B, are adapted to beassembled into abutting relation, and the tenons, g, of the member, B,are adapted to fit into the split portions, d', of the socket terminalsin the member, A, whereby the connection between the contacting cords,C, H, are completed through the terminals, D, E, of the member, A, andthe terminals, F, G, of the member, B.

The member, A, is shown as having two socket terminals and the member,4B, as equipped with two plug terminals. The plugs, F, Gr, are adaptedto fit in the sockets,D, E, respectively, but the position of one memberwith respect to the other member maybe reversed in orderto change therelation of the plug terminals, F, G, and the socket terminals, D, E,should the polarity of the circuitbe changed.

The construction shown'in Figs. 3 and 4 consists'of the members, A', B',each comosed of two sections of insulating material held together by aclamping screw, g. The member, A', has a socket terminal, D', and a plugterminal, F', whereas the companion member, B', has a socket terminal,E', and a plug terminal, G', said terminals being constructed asheretofore described and clamped in place by and between the sections ofthe respective members. Said connection of Figs. 3 and 4 is adapted tobe used on a circuit, the polarity of which is not subjectto change.When the members are assembled, the plug terminals fit in the socketterminals as heretofore described to complete the circuit. Each memberhas the curved chamber, i', or h2, to receive the knot or projection onthe conducting cord or cable.

The connection shown in Figs. 11 to 18 inclusive, is adapted forconnecting groups` of wires, each composed of three wires, saidconnection of the aforesaid figures embodying the salient features ofthe device as heretofore described. The member, H, composed of aplurality of sect-ions 1, 2, 8, divided on three lines radiating from acommon center, each section being molded to the required form andcomposed of a single piece of insulating material, such as porcelain.Said members in cross section are each provided with a curved outer faceand two at inner faces which meet at an angle, whereby the sections areadapted to be assembled in abutting relation and to produce asubstantially cylindrical device. Said sections are provided on themeeting faces thereof with recesses 4, and when assembled these recessesregister` so as to clamp the terminals 5, 6, 7 by and between saidmembers. The terminals of the member H, are similar to the plugterminals heretofore described in connection with Figs. 1 to 10inclusive. The other member, I, of the three Wire connection shown inFig. 12 is composed of three sections similar to the sections 1, 2, and3 of Figs. 11 and 15, and said member, I, is provided with socket,terminals similar to the ports, D, D', and E, E', of Figs. 1, 3, 4, 7,and 8, said socket terminals being received in the recesses of thesections and adapted to be clamped by and between the same. Ea ehmember, H, and I, has its sections bound together by a clamping deviceherein shown as an external metallic shell, J which conforms to theshape of the member so as to closely embrace the sections, and thisshell is held in place by a screw, y', or by a plurality of such screws'which enter the sections of the member. Furthermore, each member 'has acurved socket, lc, in whichis received the knotted end, or theprojection, ofV a *three ,wire cord, andthe wires of such cord arefastened individually to the terminals within the member, in themannerheretofore described. Y f

The plug terminals of one member may all be attached thereto, and thesocket terminals may all be attached to or housed within the othermember, see Figs. 11 and 12, or if desired, two ofthe plug terminals andone socket terminal may be fastened to one member, H, while one plugterminal and two socket terminals may be provided on the other member,I, as in Figs. 13 and 14, but the method of arranging the terminals maybe modified as desired.

In Figs. 19, 20 and 21 we have shown multiple tap attachments by which acircuit may be tapped at a number of places, and in each form ofattachment the parts are constructed in accordance with the invention.As shown in said figures, the attachment comprises a base member, J, anda plurality of tap members, K, K, K2, the latter being individuallyfitted to, and removable from, said base member, J. The base member, J',is split or divided lengthwise so as to produce longitudinal matchingsections, j', i2, which are held or clamped together by suitable means,such as the screws js. Each tap member consists of a plurality ofsections clamped together by a screw or screws, c, as hereinbeforedescribed in connection with the preceding figures of the drawings.Furthermore, the base member, J is equipped with means, such as thetongues, L, by which said member may be connected in an appropriateelectric circuit.

The base and taps ofthe attachment shown in Fig. 19 are provided withterminals such as heretofore described whereby the polarity of thecurrent tapped from the main line may be changed. In said Fig. 19, the

44base member, J has a number of socket in the tapped line,

terminals clamped within and concealed by the sections, j', jz, thereof,Whereas each tap member, K, K, K2, is provided with a correspondingnumber of male terminals, m, the latter projecting from said tapmembers. Each tap member may beseated on the base member so that themale terminals, m, will be received in the socket terminals within saidbase member, thus making electrical connection. Should it be desired totap ofi" a current the vsame in polarity as that of the circuit, thetaps are inserted as shown in Fig. 19, but to reverse the polarity leachplug should be reversed or turned halfway around, in order to change therelation of the male terminals, m, to the socket terminals.

Fig. 20, represents an attachment with a4 plurality of non-pole changingtaps adapted for use on battery orare light circuits. The base member, Jhas a plurality of concealed socket terminals anda plurality of exposedmale terminals, whereas each tap member is equipped with a singleexposed male terminal and a single concealedsocket terminal, wherebyeach member when seated on or fitted to the base, is adapted to receivein its socket terminal the male terminal of the base while at theSametime the male terminal ofthe tap fits into one of the socketterminals of the base. Hence, the terminals ofthe base and tap have suchrelation that the tap cannot be `fitted to the base without firstassuming a predetermined relation which overcomes any tendency ofreversing the tap and changing the polarity.

The attachment of Fig. 21 employs a plurality of pole-changing orreversible taps similar to the attachment of Fig. 19, but in saidconstruction of Fig. 21, the base member, J, is equipped with sets ofexposed male terminals, m, while each tap is provided with concealedsocket terminals adapted to receive the proper male terminals when thetap is fitted to the base.

The attachments shown in Figs. 22 and 23 are, respectively, a singlepole changing ,receptacle tap and a single non-pole changing receptacletap. In each construction, the receptacle or base, M, consists ofsections held together and adapted to clamp suitable terminals betweensaid sections, While the tap, N, consists of sections held together andclamping other terminals between said sections. In Fig. 22, the base, M,has socket terminals and the tap has male terminals, whereas in Fig. 23each part, M, N, has a "socket terminal and a plug terminal. Of course,the attachments should be composed of porfaelain. or other insulatingmaterial.

Having thus fully described the invention, what we claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a multiple-wire connection, a plurality of members, each memberbeing composed of insulating material which is divided lengthwise on atleast three lines of division and produces matching sections, c0-operating plug-terminals and socket-terminals in the respective membersand adapted .to separably and mechanically couple said members, andclamping means operating to clamp the sections of each member upon theterminals therein, said clamping means being separate from theplug-terminals and socket-terminals which are held in the respectivemembers.

2. In a multiple-wire connection, a member composed of insulatingmaterial and divided lengthwise on at least three lines yso as toproduce a series of complemental and interchangeable sections which. areheld together by an external sleeve, means for retaining said sleevefrom rotary displacement on said sections, and terminals each clampedbetween two adjacent sections of the divided member by rictionalengagement With said sections.

3. In a multiple-Wire connection, a niember composed of insulatingmaterial and divided lengthwise on at least three lines of divisionextending radially from a common axis, thereby producing a series ofcomplemental sections which are provided in their opposing contactingsurfaces with registering recesses, metallic terminals occupying saidrecesses of the sections, and means for compressing the sections intofrictional en- 15 gagement with'said metallic terminals.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

HARRY HERTZBERG. MAURICE J. WOHL.

' Witnesses JAS. H. GRIFFIN, H. I. BERNHARD.

